Question

Is Ohm's Law applicable to both DC and AC circuits?

Answer 1

Yes, Ohm's Law is applicable to both DC (Direct Current) and AC (Alternating Current) circuits. Ohm's Law states the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit. It is named after the German physicist Georg Simon Ohm, who formulated it.

The mathematical representation of Ohm's Law is:

V = I * R

Where:
V = Voltage (in volts)
I = Current (in amperes)
R = Resistance (in ohms)

In a DC circuit, where the current flows in one direction, Ohm's Law holds true. If you know the voltage across a resistor and the resistance value, you can calculate the current flowing through it, or vice versa.

In an AC circuit, where the current periodically changes direction, Ohm's Law still applies, but with some considerations. Ohm's Law holds true for resistive components in an AC circuit. However, in AC circuits with reactive components like capacitors and inductors, the relationship between voltage, current, and impedance (a complex form of resistance that considers both resistance and reactance) is described by the impedance triangle:

V = I * Z

Where:
V = Voltage (in volts)
I = Current (in amperes)
Z = Impedance (in ohms)

In summary, Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle that applies to both DC and AC circuits, but in AC circuits, the impedance takes into account the reactive components in addition to the resistive elements.